The Blue Jackets introduced John Davidson as president of hockey operations today, the dawn of a new challenge for Davidson and a new direction for the the Blue Jackets, one of pro sports' most wayward franchises since joining the NHL in 2000.

Davidson, 59, signed a multi-year deal with the Blue Jackets. Terms were not immediately available.

"We will do our best to make Columbus a better hockey club," said Davidson, who was joined by his wife and two daughters at a news conference in Nationwide Arena. "We’ll make it a better city because we’ll do our part as part of the hockey family, knowing what the team can mean to the city. It’s important to grow on the ice; and we’ve got to be really good at growing off the ice, too.

"We make a promise that we’ll make it a better place. Our family will do what we can to make the team better on the ice and off the ice."

Davidson, who had spent seven years in the same position with the St. Louis Blues, said he outlined the opportunity in Columbus with his family on a legal pad.

“All the check marks were on one side of the legal pad," Davidson said. "They were all positive."

Blue Jackets president MIke Priest said Davidson's hiring will help the club "turn the page on our past and reach new levels of success."

"He will have full authority and autonomy of the competition side of our business," Priest said. "He will lead our hockey operations staff."

All current members of hockey operations -- general manager Scott Howson, assistant general manager Chris MacFarland and senior adviser Craig Patrick -- will remain in place, Davidson said. He's already met with most of them, but his first official day at work will be Thursday.

Davidson promised to build the Blue Jackets "brick by brick."

Blue Jackets fans have had their patience tried through the years -- one Stanley Cup playoff berth in 11 seasons and a 30th-place finish in 2011-12 -- but Davidson said you can't cheat the process. The prospects will be given time to mature and improve, and the draft -- not free agency -- will be used to build the franchise into a competitive team.

The Blue Jackets have three first-round draft picks next season.

When you start seeing it going in the right direction, the fans who have seen it all the way through - the ones who have seen these players grow up – a special bond is formed," Davidson said. "It’s a pretty good feeling, and that’s what I think we’re going to have … well, I know that’s what we’re going to have here."

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